Rare Prohibition Era Photos

Old Photos: 27 Rare Prohibition Era Photos

The Prohibition era was an extremely difficult time in 20th century American history. During this period, from 1919 until Prohibition was finally repealed in 1933, it was against the law in the United States to make, sell, or consume alcohol. Americans, however, loved their alcohol and banning it actually resulted in a whopping 70% increase in alcohol consumption during the Prohibition years.

WE WANT BEERLabor union members marching through Broad Street, Newark New Jersey, carrying signs in protest of prohibition – 1931.(Library of Congress)

People went to great lengths to both make and find alcoholic beverages. Criminal gangs, in particular, exploited the system. These operations distilled their own whiskey, beer, gin, moonshine and other types of alcohol or simply illegally imported it by air and sea from other countries. The sale and distribution of alcohol netted huge profits for their illegal liquor businesses and also resulted in literal war between gangs and police across the country.

In this collection of rare Prohibition era photos, you’ll get a glimpse of what everyday life was like for not just the average citizen, but also police officials as they sought, found and destroyed millions of gallons of booze throughout America.

Inside shot of a crowded bar just before midnight, the night before Prohibition went into effect. New York City – June 30, 1919. (Library of Congress)

A Fair Haul by the Liquor Squad – Group of policemen posed with cases of moonshine, Washington, D.C. – September 23, 1922. (Library of Congress)

The Latest Fashion Trend in Flasks. Mlle. Rhea, dainty dancer with the Keiths Program, started the garter flask fad in Washington, DC – January 26, 1926. (Library of Congress)

Alcohol is seen pouring out the third floor windows of a building after an illegal distillery is discovered and destroyed by Prohibition agents during a raid. Detroit, Michigan – December 10, 1929. (Public Domain)

Man carrying a case of Four Roses whiskey on his shoulder, possibly confiscated by the U.S. Internal Revenue Bureau – ca1921-1932. (Library of Congress)

Wreckage of a Stutz automobile that crashed into a tree at 70 MPH. Bootlegger driver was killed and fifty gallons of corn liquor was destroyed and confiscated – July 29, 1924. (Library of Congress)

Above and Below Photos… Bootleggers and moonshiners wore special ‘cow shoes’ to hide their footprints from police and prohibition agents – 1922. (Library of Congress)

According to The Evening Independent (May 27, 1922):“A new method of evading prohibition agents was revealed here today by A.L. Allen, state prohibition enforcement director, who displayed what he called a “cow shoe” as the latest thing front the haunts of moonshiners. The cow shoe is a strip of metal to which is tacked a wooden block carved to resemble the hoof of a cow, which may be strapped to the human foot. A man shod with a pair of them would leave a trail resembling that of a cow. The shoe found was picked up near Port Tampa where a still was located some time ago. It will be sent to the prohibition department at Washington. Officers believe the inventor got his idea from a Sherlock Holmes story in which the villain shod his horse with shoes the imprint of which resembled those of a cow’s hoof.”

Woman holding a poster that says ‘Abolish Prohibition! – 1931. Near the end of Prohibition in 1933, many women had organized in efforts to repeal the law as gang violence and illegal distilling of alcohol had become a huge problem throughout major cities in America. Along with gang members, innocent bystanders were also killed or seriously injured in the violence. (Library of Congress)

Photo shows Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Public Safety Director, Smedley D. Duckboards Butler, destroying kegs of beer with an axe and dumping the alcohol into the Schuylkill River – 1924. (Library of Congress)

Prohibition agents dismantling a still in San Francisco – ca1909-1932. (Library of Congress)

Two U.S. prohibition agents carrying confiscated liquor past a group of men – ca1921. (Library of Congress)

Lt. O.T. Davis, Sergt. J.D. McQuade, George Fowler of Internal Revenue Service and H.G. Bauer with the largest still ever taken in the national capitol and bottles of liquor – November 11, 1922. (Library of Congress)

Prohibition Era Photos – Two men posing with a whiskey still – ca1920-1930. (Library of Congress)